PSUF Grant Policy and Procedures

Prototyping Grants 

Prototyping grants are an important tool for the success of program participants developing prototypes for InventOR. The intent of the grants is to remove financial barriers related to the cost of developing prototypes for the program. Prototyping grants issued to teams for programming and competitions are to be used for costs directly related to developing their prototype, marketing and promoting their prototype, creating an effective pitch for their prototype, and/or registering or forming a formal business for their prototype. 

Expenses are allowable when they meet the following requirements: 

•There is a clear and documented relationship to the team project.

•They are reasonable and not excessive.

•They are for realized, out-of-pocket costs.

•There is both an itemization of what was purchased, and proof of payment.

•They are incurred within the timeframe of participation in the competition. 

Expenses are disallowable when they: 

•Do not have a documented relationship to the team project.

•Are considered unreasonable or excessive.

•Are not for out-of-pocket expenses, including any costs paid with points, miles, giftcards, coupons, etc.

•Do not clearly show proof of purchase and what was purchased.

•Are for expenses incurred either prior to being accepted into the competition or which are not incurred prior to the close of the competition.

•Are used to pay for team travel costs (these should be processed as an expense reimbursement).

•Are used to pay any team member or related party for their personal time or work on the project.

•Are used to pay for any team member or related parties' personal expenses.

Following the competition, all unspent funds and any funds for disallowed expenses should be returned to the PSU Foundation. All unreturned funds will be considered taxable income to the program participant(s) to whom the prototyping grant was paid, and an IRS form 1099-Misc will be issued to the payee(s) of the grant. 

You agree to the above stated terms by submitting and e-signing the 2025 PSU InventOR - Innovation Development Grant & Use Agreement.